Punta Gorda police interviewing for new chief

Punta Gorda can expect to see a new permanent police chief next month.

City manager Howard Kunik said he's trimming more than 130 candidates to 10 before interviews start. No one currently with the Punta Gorda Police Department applied.

"A fresh set of eyes, maybe tweak things here and there," Kunik said.

Kunik said all of the candidates are from other parts of Florida or the country.

He listed the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast as the primary out-of-state applicants.

"We've got people interested in coming to Punta Gorda from a wide area," Kunik said.

Kunik fired Tom Lewis, former Punta Gorda police chief, at the end of August, following an internal investigation by the city.

The investigation report said a shoot, don't shoot demonstration for the Chamber of Commerce on August 9, 2016 failed to meet multiple safety protocols. Lee Coel, former Punta Gorda police officer, shot and killed Mary Knowlton, a retired librarian, during the demonstration.